New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-18
ercnce is made to them "1he Voice. ouSht 70
insist upon having no voice.
RrrIS lFFECTING REAL ESTATE.

BILLS AFFECTING REAL ES1AIE.
Few of the bills now before the Legislature
more directly or vitality concern property-own
ers In New-YorIx than those relating to new
methods of recording and indexing instruments
affecting real property. The proposed legisla-
tion has grown out Of real and pressing need
Land transfer reform in this city has become
an actual necessity. II the old cumbrous sys-
tom should continue many years longer it would
soon DO. il it Is not already so. dangerous as
well as most laborious undertaking to search
and pass upon titles to real estate on Mammal
tan Island. t 3D. - ,..-rl ,.
But in establishing new system it should
clearly appear that it is not change from ono
bad method to another as bad or worse; and
also that the necessity for the reform IS not
made the occasion by INSCRIPTIONS politicians OF
ENGRAVING upon the proposed laws provisions Tor
political purposes. II there are any statutes
that should be kept clear of such influences
those of this character are among them. Inc
bills now pending that propose to institute
what Is distinguished rs the Lot system OF
indcxinp instruments affecting real properly
NAV accomplish oil That has been claimed for
them by their most ardent advocates, and II so
tbcy should be passed. But some circum-
stances surrounding them must not be lost
sight Of and certainly demand that action upon
them be deliberate and that tho claims OF the
friends Of the measure be clearly substantiated'
IL is certain that their enactment will throw
q large amount OF new patronage into the hands
of Governor Hill and his friends and that the
expense to the city will be great What sum
that expense will eventually reach it is impos-
sible to say. but some Of the estimates place 1t
nj figures sufficiently high to be startling. The
view of its practical working taken by many OF
tho most prominent and conservative members
Of the Ncw-Yorlz bar Is also deserving OF con-
sidcration. These have stated in the most
positivc manner their conviction TINT to es-
tablish the /" Lot system" in the way proposed
yould lead to a condition of affairs much worse
than the present This feeling has even led
10 the formation Of an association from their
members. for the purpose of opposing these
bills with men of the character Of Aaron j.
Vandcrpocl and Henry l.. Clinton among its
chief officers.
The Block system" which is advocated by
Dwight II. Olmstcad. one OF the Land Transfer
Commissioners. In tho place of the Lot sys-
tenn" is apparently free from these defects,
whatever Others IL may have. The only one
that has been urged against it is that it does
not go far cnougb-does not accomplish enough
Those members Of tho committee OF the Bar
Association who approved Of the Lot system y
were unanimous in the holding that the Block
system" would lie vast improvement
over the present method. 1t is claimed that It's
practical effect is to reduce the extent OF search
upon a piece of real property from the entire
CITY and County Of Ncw-YorlS 10 the exactly
defined limits Of a single city block and practi-
cally to mako the searching OF titles in New
York simpler than in any ruIal locality.
The Legislature will he required to pass upon
these two methods. An extraordinary haste
has been manifested in some of the efforts
made to advance the +" Lot system bills 10
speedy enactment This is nc case for hasty
action. The result VIII affect too many mil
lions OF value to lie disposed OF lightly. Let
the fullest investigation Of the merits OF the
two plans he had and then decision reached
that will sustain the strongest practical test
a.. Il. ~